Who Can Stand? - Revelation 6:12-17

The opening of the Sixth Seal shows John events that are far more terrifying than before.  This is one of the reasons I believe that even though theses Seals reveal events between the first and second coming of Christ, they also reflect an increasing intensity and violence as the end approaches.

• ¹² . . . there was a great earthquake, and 
• the sun became black as sackcloth, 
• the full moon became like blood, 
• ¹³ and the stars of the sky fell to the earth . . . 
• ¹⁴ The sky vanished like a scroll that is being rolled up, and 
• every mountain and island was removed from its place.

Without a doubt this anticipates the Day of the Lord, the Day of His Second Coming.  Note the reaction of the earth:

“Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, calling to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?”” (Revelation 6:15–17, ESV) 

"Language of natural phenomenon, like in vv. 12–14, is typical when referring to God’s judgment. It normally refers to the end of the age (see Isa 13:10; 34:4; Ezek 32:7–8; Joel 2:10, 31; 3:15; Mark 13:24–25)." [1] "But in that day there will be no escape. None will be exempt. The terror will be universal." [2] 

The cause of this disaster of all disasters is not lost on those who are in great terror.  They know this is the day of God's wrath.  They know the end will come.   The terror of such events inspires the author to ask rhetorically: "who can stand?"

Father, the anticipation of such events strikes such horror that my mind cannot conceive of the terror that awaits those who have not trusted You.  I am reminded of Your words through Paul that because we, we Christians, know the terror of the Lord, we persuade others.  May these events not paralyse me, but in fact mobilize me to be a messenger of reconciliation today.  May my message be, "Be reconciled to God."  Who can escape if they neglect so great a salvation?  

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1.  Barry, J. D., Grigoni, M. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Mangum, D., & Whitehead, M. M. (2012). Faithlife Study Bible (Re 6:12). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software. 

2. KJV Bible Commentary. 1994 (E. E. Hindson & W. M. Kroll, Ed.) (2673). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.